Hong Kong’s ViuTV takes center stage as Television Asia Plus visits the free TV service that was launched in March 2016. The channel offers its viewers a comprehensive wide variety of genres ranging from factual entertainment to sports, dramas and variety shows. K. Dass speaks to ViuTV’s General Manager Lo Ting-fai on its recent developments in the market.
As every broadcaster strives to provide that niche content to its different audience segments, ViuTV introduces factual entertainments programmes that expose the most realistic aspects of human nature through true stories and real reactions. The channel produces variety and lifestyle shows, dramas, music, sports, news, finance and many other diversified programmes, bringing more entertainment options to audience. This concept resonates well with Hong Kong audience, deemed to provide life with choices.
As every broadcaster strives to provide that niche content to its different audience segments, ViuTV introduces factual entertainments programmes that expose the most realistic aspects of human nature through true stories and real reactions. The channel produces variety and lifestyle shows, dramas, music, sports, news, finance and many other diversified programmes, bringing more entertainment options to audience. This concept resonates well with Hong Kong audience, deemed to provide life with choices.
“Watching people interact with each other where real feeling is involved, allows audience to witness humanity unravel and sometimes create more dramatic effects than fictional programmes,” says Lo Ting-fai. “For instance, our original life programme Love Avatars created some talking points and resonate well among Hong Kong audience. The programme explores six participants’ journey in search of romantic partners by using an avatar to overcome superficial barriers and focus on their inner beauty. “In My First Direct, celebrities are invited to play the role of a first-time microfilm director. The programme documents the challenges involved in making of a budgeted microfilm. We also explore the emotions behind the true characters and stories as well, giving the audience a glimpse of behind-the-scene,” he says. ViuTV also provides a huge mix of local dramas with a fresh and differentiated vibe and manner as an alternative for drama lovers. Its Margaret and David series has created a new and refreshing vibe in the romance drama genre which has captured the hearts of local audience. Other locally produced drama like Midnight Cousin portrays a cabaret band in a lounge in Temple Street at Yau Ma Tei district. It features the relationship among the band members in a humorous manner. The channel’s ultimate goal is not only to introduce more genre of choices but also options within established genres. Beyond the TV screen, audiences can also watch live broadcast of Channel 99 and encore full-version programs on demand and exclusive online videos through website and ViuTV App on different devices, enjoying 24 hours non-stop entertainment whenever, wherever. ViuTV is also an open platform for different types of music programmes ranging from live concerts to music awards to other music related programmes.
“We have produced programmes such as Tat Ming Pair Special featuring the legendary Hong Kong singing duo from the 1980’s. We also live broadcasted Mnet Asian Music Awards for Korean music lovers, and Wow+Flutter Weekend Concert for local fans. This year we will produce exclusive music special featuring Alan Tam’s latest duo with Asian top singers like Sam Hui, Jackie Cheung and Sun Nan. Our vision is to encourage a common language between Hong Kong’s different generations and audience with different preferences by spreading music. “We also offer choices of different types of variety programmes that resonate well with Hong Kong audience, including cuisine & travel (404 Countries Not Found, Two Dollar Senior Tours), talk shows (Inside Out, Helmet Intercom), news (Now Connect) and sports featuring world and local tournaments (Guangdong- Hong Kong Cup, Standard Chartered Marathon),” he says. PCCW Media distributes ViuTV content beyond Hong Kong where it has captured many new viewers. Lo Ting-fai says, “There are certain aspects of life that are innate and universal, regardless of where we are from; everyone understands the power of maternal love, friendships, relationships and its associated complications. Thus, whether it is drama or factual entertainment, our content puts an emphasis on these aspects. “For instance, Changing Mama, explores the relationship between parents and their kids. The programme entails participants swapping and pairing up with other kids’ mothers. The programme highlights mixed emotions; in the hope to explore the feelings of children competing against their own mother. “ViuTV’s content does not only involve physically travelling outside the country, but we also induce the travelling and flow of real emotions, love and tears among our participants. Thereby, we strive to convey and transfer these emotions to our audiences in different countries, which are universal and easy to resonate due to our intrinsic ViuTV General Manager Lo Ting-fai humanity.”
